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Wooton will run against Hingle

State Rep. Ernest Wooton, R-Belle Chasse, says he will run for sheriff of Plaquemines Parish against incumbent Jiff Hingle in the fall elections. It will be the fourth time the two men have faced each other for sheriff in the delta parish.

Wooton served as Plaquemines sheriff from 1984 to 1992. He defeated Hingle the first time they met in 1983, then lost to Hingle in 1991 and again when he tried to unseat him in 1995. Wooton won his legislative seat in 1999 and is now term limited. Hingle has served as sheriff since 1992.

Hingle confirmed to Gambit that the two men spoke about their upcoming battle, and he said he “definitely” plans to run for a sixth term. “We have run against each other three times already, but we have been amicable in our differences,” Hingle said.

Hingle has been the subject of investigative reports by WVUE-TV’s Lee Zurik in recent months. Wooton predicted the incumbent would be in “a war with the media” once campaigning starts. Hingle said Wooton “is probably just looking for something to do” now that he is term limited in the Legislature.